Schwerin (dpa/mv) - In the conflict over the work and the desired dissolution of the MV climate foundation, the tone between the state government led by Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig and the foundation board around her predecessor Erwin Sellering (both SPD) has intensified. In a statement distributed in Schwerin on Wednesday, the foundation's leadership contradicts statements by Finance Minister Heiko Geue (SPD) that the foundation prevented him from informing members of the state parliament early and comprehensively about the disappearance of tax files. "Unfortunately, the finance minister's main line of argument is not based on facts. It was not we who prevented disclosure of all circumstances, but the ministry," the statement said.
In May 2022, the foundation expressly granted exemption from tax secrecy with regard to answering a small question in the state parliament. The Ministry of Finance was satisfied with that. "There have been no further inquiries from the Ministry of Finance about the exemption for months," the foundation said. The opposition factions had complained that they had only been insufficiently informed about the events surrounding the missing files. Geue had referred to tax law, which prohibits information on ongoing proceedings without the express consent of those affected. In addition, the foundation board rejected Geue's reasoning that the foundation had to pay gift tax. A lawsuit is currently underway to pay the required 9.8 million euros.
